Once Upon A Time Peterborough Downtown Was Movie Theatre Row

Those new to the city or born later might not realize that once upon a time, Peterborough’s downtown was “Movie Theatre Row” where it was a big social activity to go downtown, pick a movie, and choose a theatre.

Indeed, in a photo shared to their Facebook page (see below) from 1961 taken on George Street, Trent Valley Archives writes that “you can see the imposing signs of the Capitol, Odeon, and Paramount theaters, which made up movie theater row.”

Photo courtesy Trent Valley Archives

Trent Valley Archives adds that going back further in the 1950s, “Peterborough residents would have been able to choose between these three theaters (and the Centre theater, which closed in 1956) when they wanted to see a movie.”


Here is another view of movie theatre row back in the day looking down George Street...

Another view of movie theatre row

To entice patrons, each theater would advertise the films they were showing on their marquee board and in the Peterborough Examiner, according to TVA.

Share your memories of going to these theatres on our Facebook page.

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